4 Signs You Can Trust Your Agent to Sell Your Home
January 23, 2019Selling your home is a big deal. You wouldn’t trust a financial transaction that size to just anybody, would you? Of course not!
That’s why it’s important to find the pro who will give you and your home the best shot at winning in the market. So how do you know which agent is right for you?
Let’s take a look at four qualities that can make a big difference in your home sale. In this example, we’ll follow Charles and Chelsea Chooser as they navigate their search.
#1: Hands-On Experience
The Choosers know every agent has to start somewhere, and just because someone’s new at the game doesn’t mean they stink at it. But there’s a lot to be said for an agent who’s been through market ups and downs and lived to tell it. Those hard-won lessons turn into expertise, and expertise gets results.
Charles and Chelsea want top dollar for their home, so they follow Dave’s advice and look for pros with four or more years of experience. They find four contenders who fit the bill, and they schedule interviews.
#2: A Sophisticated Strategy
The interviews begin, and the first agent suggests a series of open houses to get the word out on the Choosers’ home. She also keeps it simple by handling all the listing photography with her point-and-shoot camera.
These marketing methods sound fine—until Charles and Chelsea conduct their remaining interviews. The other three agents know great pictures attract buyer attention online, so high quality, professional photography comes standard. They’ll also use social media and other digital tools to expose the home to a wide network of potential buyers and local real estate agents.
The Choosers quickly realize the first agent won’t reach today’s buyers using yesterday’s methods. They cross her off the list.
#3: Personal Investment
With one agent out of the running, Charles and Chelsea focus on narrowing down the remaining contenders. All three offer similar marketing approaches, so the Choosers look over their interview notes to see what else left an impression.
It doesn’t take long for them to notice that two agents are especially passionate about the Choosers’ particular corner of the market. One has a long history of selling homes in their community, while the other grew up in the area and still has family close by.
Charles and Chelsea don’t want an agent who sees their neighborhood as just another face in the crowd. They want someone who appreciates their community’s unique charms and can’t help but share that enthusiasm with buyers!
The local aficionados make the cut, leaving Charles and Chelsea with a one last decision.
#4: The Heart of a Teacher
Now it’s time for the rubber to meet the road. The Choosers reflect on their interactions with the last two agents standing.
- It took three weeks for one agent to fit them into his schedule, and a few questions they’ve asked have gone unanswered. During their meeting, he kept looking at his watch, giving Charles and Chelsea the sense he had other places to be. They know this agent is a busy guy. After all, he sold tons of homes last year. But does he really have time for them?
- The other agent makes the Choosers feel like his only clients—even though he closes just as many home deals as the first guy. He responds promptly to their questions, leaving no stone unturned, and takes time to explain the selling process to Charles and Chelsea in detail. They feel confident this agent will deliver excellent service and get great results.
When it comes down to it, it’s no contest! The Choosers let the second agent know he’s the one for them.